Chelsea are favourites to sign €15m-rated versatile defensive star

With the imminent departure of Gary Cahill who has been a subject of a loan move to Juventus and the Southampton’s refusal to let go of Virgil van Dijk this summer, Chelsea may have turned their attention to signing youth players with the hope of blooding them into the first team in the near future.

According to reports from the Spanish press, Chelsea are eyeing the services of Real Madrid youngster Marcos Llorente. It is reported that the Blues are leading the race in the chase for the 22-year-old defensive player.

Daily Star goes on to say that Conte sees the Llorente as a long-term replacement for Nemanja Matic who completed a summer move to bitter EPL rivals Manchester United. Although, Chelsea have signed Tiemoue Bakayoko to shore up the midfield, they are willing to have the Spanish U-21 player in their ranks as well.

Loading...

Llorente plays predominantly as a defensive midfielder, but he can also operate as a central defender and also in the centre back position as well, which makes him an asset to any team. Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has assured the lad that he is in his first team plans for this season. However, an irresistible deal with the assurances of first team football could yet whisk him out of the Spanish capital.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are also interested in the player’s signature and that should be a major concern for the Blues if they are genuinely interested in him.